Fuel poverty in the UK hit 3.5 million households in 2006, one million more than in the previous year, according to data released by the UK government this month. Fuel poverty occurs when households spend more than 10% of their income on heating. In 2006, 2.75 million of those households affected were classed as vulnerable because they included a child, elderly person, or someone with a long-term illness. The government said the rise was due to the 22% hike in energy prices recorded over the period and admitted soaring energy bills in 2008 are likely to increase the figure further. "It is the global demand for energy that is pushing up prices, but that is no comfort to the fuel poor who need support," said UK energy minister Malcolm Wicks. "It is intolerable that the vulnerable could suffer this winter. The government is not complacent. We need to take action on many fronts," Wicks added. Since January 2008, two rounds of price hikes by the UK's major energy suppliers have meant the average dual fuel customer has seen gas and electricity bills rise 43% to ￡1,307/year.
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